Remembrance Sunday being marked across Northern Ireland

Press Association Wreaths laid during a Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in EnniskillenPress Association
Wreaths laid during a Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in Enniskillen

Events and services are taking place in cities, towns and villages across Northern Ireland to mark Remembrance Sunday.

Hundreds of people have attended a ceremony at Belfast City Hall, which began with a two-minute silence at 11:00 GMT.

Remembrance Sunday is observed on the second Sunday of November.

The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Róis-Máire Donnelly of Sinn Féin, laid a laurel wreath at the cenotaph in Belfast, as did the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Sarah Owen and Irish government minister Frank Feighan.

Northern Ireland Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots and Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) leader Claire Hanna were among those gathered at the ceremony in Belfast.

Earlier, it was reported that First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly will not be in attendance in their official capacities at remembrance events on Sunday following the fall out of the Drumcree parading dispute.

After the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) said it will not participate in joint engagements with O'Neill and Little-Pengelly, O'Neill then confirmed her invitation to attend Remembrance Sunday had been "blocked".

She accused her unionist partners in government of "short-sightedness", but the DUP has said the Sinn Féin vice-president's "arrogance will have consequences".

Several Sinn Féin politicians have laid wreaths in previous years, but she was the first to stay for the main Remembrance Sunday ceremony.

O'Neill was asked by reporters if she would be attending Remembrance Sunday in a personal capacity if not as first minister.

The Sinn Féin deputy leader said the "invitation to Sunday was into the office of first and deputy first minister" and said it had been "blocked by the DUP".

The Remembrance Sunday service taking place at Belfast City Hall cenotaph. There are people holding poppy wreaths
Hundreds of people attended the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at Belfast City Hall

Police are advising residents and motorists to anticipate delays and disruption to traffic on Sunday due to parades and other events taking places across Northern Ireland.

People are being urged to allow extra time for their journeys.

Taoiseach attending Enniskillen service

Taoiseach Micheál Martin pictured outside with two other men, all wearing suits, beside a black car.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin arrived at Enniskillen Presbyterian Church just before 10:00 GMT

In County Fermanagh, the Taoiseach Micheál Martin is attending the Remembrance Sunday Service in Enniskillen.

Martin arrived at Enniskillen Presbyterian Church just before 10:00 GMT.

Also attending is Secretary of State Chris Bryant, who was met by army and air cadets.

War memorial being rededicated

Getty The war memorial in the Diamond area of Londonderry. A large bouquet of flowers is pictured near the memorial.Getty
Work to restore the war memorial at The Diamond in Londonderry city centre began back in August

The war memorial in Londonderry has been rededicated on Sunday for the first time since 1927, following the completion of a major restoration project.

The £200,000 restoration works on the memorial were completed ahead of Sunday's ceremony, with fencing removed before the rededication and a subsequent act of remembrance.

Specialist contractors have been undertaking extensive restoration work on four historic war memorials across Derry City and Strabane District Council area.

Jason Dougherty, chairman of the Royal British Legion in the Waterside, said the restoration work on the memorial in The Diamond has been incredible.

Jason Dougherty is wearing a long navy coat and is wearing a poppy on his jacket lapel. He is standing near the war memorial in Derry.
Extensive restoration works on the memorial in The Diamond, which was supported by EU funding, were completed ahead of Sunday's rededication ceremony

A rededication ceremony is traditionally held after a memorial has been renovated, modified, or moved.

Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today ahead of Sunday, Dougherty said the improvements had been significant and were "a fitting and lasting tribute to our glorious dead".

Dougherty said the restoration work, which was supported by EU funding, has been hugely successful.

He said the memorial's prominent location in the Diamond in the city centre made its refurbishment particularly important, adding that the improvements had also enhanced the appearance of the surrounding area for the benefit of the wider community.